University of Idaho - Gem of the Mountains Yearbook (Moscow, ID)

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Moscow was founded in 1875 when four area pioneers each con- tributed 30 acres of land to start the town of Paradise, Idaho. After two years, with a population of 600, its name was officially changed to Mos- cow. Moscow eventually became the county seat of Latah County, the only county in the United States that was formed by an act of Congress The exceptional fertile ground of the Palouse caused people to flock to the area and earned Moscow such names as the “Venice of the North. ’ More eloquently it has been Moscow said that Moscow “has as rich and fertile soil as the clouds of the morn- ing and the evening have ever watered, and as productive as any plow ever entered.” One of the first business and buildings in Moscow was once con- sidered the largest department store in Idaho. It was originally owned by Senator William McConnell and J. H. Maquire. Later a new owner took over the store and expanded it even more. People would travel from miles around to shop there. The University of Idaho Adminis- tration Building was another one of Idaho's early buildings. The large brick building stood in the middle of a large plowed field. This building, constructed in 1891, was the only building at the U of | for several years. The school opened its doors in 1892. The first graduating class from the University of Idaho con- sisted of four people. The Ad Building had been stand- ing for 15 years when it was com- pletely destroyed by fire. For two years classes were held in churchs and in the Public Library.